Why Boxing Day?
The day after Christmas, or 26 December, is Boxing Day in the United Kingdom and some Common Wealth nations, such as Canada, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. The holiday’s beginnings in England during Queen Victoria’s reign are deeply rooted in history. When servants traveled on 26 December, their masters or employers would give them a special package to share with their families as they travelled home because many were expected to work on Christmas. Traditionally, the day would be off for servants. It was a bonus.
26 December has religious significance and is known as Saint Stephen’s Day in Ireland and Catalonia in Spain. Throughout the year, churches collect money from parishioners to hand out to the poor. The tradition of giving cash gifts has evolved, with grandparents and parents leaving out extra cash for children in the weeks before Christmas. Each child receives a Christmas box. Boxing Day is a bank holiday associated with shopping and sporting events, such as horse races, rugby, and traditional foxhunting, which was changed in 2005. Hounds are no longer allowed. Some Brits opt to stay home and enjoy extended time with friends and family rather than participate in other activities.
The blog explores past Boxing Day gifting traditions and looks for creative ideas for today.
Traditional Boxing Day Gift Ideas
Victorians presented Boxing Day gifts to working-class people in addition to their servants. Those individuals 
included postal workers, letter carriers, apprentices, clerks, and couriers. The box they provided contained money, alcohol, and other small gifts. Collectively, these gifts were worth a lot of money to recipients. Postal officials frequently worried about postal employees getting drunk while on duty after receiving these boxes.
Modern Boxing Day Gift Ideas
Boxing Day in modern times is similar to the American deep discount shopping and return day after Christmas. The exception is that Brits get the whole day off. Americans may or may not. It depends on the employer and whether they take a vacation or PTO day. Boxing Day is also traditional for providing additional gifts to family, friends, and neighbors. The day is one for spending those gift cards and cash from grandparents, parents, and employers. Let’s see what unique gift ideas there are to find.
Why Boxing Day? Food
Walnut Tree has the finest edible treats for any occasion. Their luxury dried fruits, nuts, and specialty treats are great for a meal, snacking, and pairing with wine, hot chocolate, tea, or coffee. They have kilo bags of dried fruit and nuts. Watch the rugby match and horse races with high-quality protein and fibre. Platters and jewel boxes offer a variety of choices without additional sugar. Get a start on the New Year’s goal to eat better with healthy, delicious, and decadent treats, plain or dipped in chocolate. See all the wonder at walnut.gifts.
Clothing
Go for cosy lounge or leisure wear. The holidays should be about relaxing as much as the parties. Local department stores should be well-stocked for the season. Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Liberty London, and Harvey Nichols are great places to start. After Christmas, Amazon.co.uk sells hundreds of items with steep discounts. Small businesses in a village may also have just the pieces for at-home comfort.
Electronics
Does someone need a new mobile phone, headphones, tablet, or laptop? Online retailers like Apple, Samsung, AO, Argos, Currys, John Lewis, Vodafone, Virgin Media, and Lakeland are alternatives to Amazon for electronic shopping. Department stores like Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City have chain retailers and department shorts. Remember the shopping at Covent Garden and Tottenham Court Road. All these places have knowledgeable staff, reasonable prices, service plans, and quality products.
Why Boxing Day? Trips
Looking for a fun place to get away on holiday, either locally or on the continent? One Travel, Expedia, Kayak, and 
CheapOair are already advertising Boxing Day air travel discounts. On Boxing Day, Travelzoo, Groupon Getaways, Apple Vacation, and Virgin Travel have all-inclusive resort packages, last-minute deals, cruises, and tour packages to exotic and domestic locations.
Gym Memberships
Buying a gym membership helps those who want to get a head start on weight loss goals before New Year’s Day. The average cost for a monthly gym membership in the United Kingdom is £47.24. During Boxing Day, sales memberships are discounted for a time. For example, The Gym Group offers 50 percent off discounts on Boxing Day. Other gyms may provide a month for free or special pricing for yoga, weight, spinning, and meditation classes at lower prices. Sometimes, these discounts come with signing a contract, so be sure to read the small print. Promotion offers may come with strings.
Why Boxing Day? Furniture, Carpeting and Flooring
Boxing Day is one of the best times to freshen up home décor for spring. Furniture retailers like Choice Furniture Super Store usually have the best product deals, such as beds, wardrobes, sideboards, desks, sofas, and mattresses. Downtown provides free estimates within 40 miles of its Downtown Boston and Downtown Grantham stores. If customers purchase their new flooring online, Downtown will give them a £250 gift card for additional shopping.
Boxing Day has a deep tradition in the United Kingdom and former colonies. First, it had religious origins with Saint Stephen’s Day. It was a time to remember the poor or underprivileged in the villages and cities. Second, the Victorians developed Boxing Day to give bonuses to servants, tradespeople, apprentices, and postal workers. Cash, alcohol, and small gifts are traditional gifts.
Finally, modern Boxing Day is about after-Christmas shopping, deals, rugby, horse races, and a day off with family and friends. Gifting ideas are more varied than before, although children often receive extra cash from their parents and grandparents.
About Walnut Tree- the finest edible gifts
Great Taste Awards
With Great Taste Awards for nougat, dried fruit, marron glacé, glacé fruit and pate de fruit. You’ll always be purchasing quality products from Walnut Tree.
Who we supply
Supplied under own brand or white label to prestigious stores, palaces, castles, stately homes, garden centres, delicatessens, farm shops, hamper companies, department stores and gift shops.
Why buy from us?
You’re buying directly from the source and will get excellent value for money. If you’re not happy with your purchase, we’ll refund or replace it. The website is open 24/7, orders despatched within 48 hours.
Our charitable contributions
Walnut Tree supports Future Dreams Breast Cancer Charity with dried fruit for their care packages. www.futuredreams.org.uk
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